A woman says she recognized Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès during a religious gathering near Besançon. Based on this testimony, checks are underway to find DNA elements belonging to the fugitive.
A new twist in the Dupont de Ligonnès affair. The gendarmes of the research brigade were seized after a report near Besançon, reports The Republican East. A woman would have recognized the fugitive Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès during a religious gathering several weeks ago. Suspected of having killed his wife and four children in Nantes in 2011, the man, who must now be 63 years old, is still wanted. This new testimony immediately triggered checks.
“The investigators found people who were present that day and carried out numerous interviews. No other person came to corroborate this testimony,” announced the public prosecutor, Étienne Manteaux.
DNA Comparison
An investigation was also opened and entrusted to the gendarmes of the Besançon research brigade. According to testimony, Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès was seen within the community of sisters of Béthanie. A sorority known for welcoming women upon their release from prison to enable them to become nuns, explains the regional daily. A particularity which led investigators to take a close interest in this lead.
“They found various objects, including a cup. It was taken in order to be analyzed. The gendarmes contacted the Nantes investigating judge in charge of the case, who will validate or not the DNA comparisons,” indicated the prosecutor , adding that at this stage “we cannot formally exclude that it is not Dupont de Ligonnès”.
The religious avenue had been explored several times. In January 2018, a law enforcement operation was carried out in a monastery in the Var after several reports from faithful convinced they had recognized the alleged murderer at mass. It ended up being a monk who looked like him, recalls The Republican East.